Early Life.
Kenneth Norman Rogers was born on the 5th August 1918 at Peckham, London.
His father was John Robert Rogers, who was also known as Jack, who was born on the 2nd June 1891 at Amersham. On 22nd July 1914 he was appointed as a Constable in the Hertford County Constabulary having previously served in the Royal Navy. Having barely started his Police Training, and not yet issued with a Warrant Number, he was recalled to the Navy on the outbreak of WW1. [His Life Story appears on the website, simply search for Rogers. Ed]
Kenneth’s mother was Mabel Georgina Matilda Blake who was born on 21st January 1893 at Camberwell, London.
Mabel and John married on the 28th January 1915 at Camden Church, Camberwell. They both gave their address as 37, Jocelyn Street, Camberwell (her family home) and John was described as a Stoker in the Royal Navy.
Other than Kenneth they had another son, Raymond John born on the 18th February 1917 also at Peckham.
In the 1921 census the family are shown as living at 46, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin and John is shown as working as a Police Constable.
Both boys attended St. Mary’s Church School, Hitchin.
Between 1931 and 1937 he had been a Boy Scout with the 1st Holwell Troop.
In December 1933 he passed the St. John Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
On leaving school Kenneth worked as a Tin Smith at T. Brooker & Sons Ltd in Hitchin [the company still exists in Hitchin Ed.] He may also have been employed as an Engineer and a Locksmith.
He then applied to join the Hertfordshire County Police. It was clearly a joint decision with his brother to do so as they were both subsequently appointed on the same date of 26th March 1938.
Police Service.
His Form 3 Hertford County Constabulary record Sheet has survived and shows the following details: Kenneth Norman Rogers, Number: 224, Date of Appointment: 26th March 1938, Age on joining: 19 years 4 months, Place and date of birth: Peckham London 5th August 1918, Height: 5ft 11 ½ ins, Chest: 35 ins, Complexion: Sallow, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Dark brown. He said his religion was Church of England, he could ride a pedal cycle but could not swim. He gave details of his previous employment as shown above.
He started his Probationer Training receiving £2/2/0 per week, on Monday 13th December 1937 at Police Headquarters Hatfield in the 59th Class of Probationers under the instruction of PS 206 Hales.
On the 22nd March 1938 he was examined by the Constabulary Surgeon who found him to be fit for the duties of the Constabulary. The Surgeon [name illegible Ed.] completed a Medical Certificate to that effect.
On Saturday 26th March 1938 Kenneth Norman Rogers was Appointed as Police Constable 224. His pay was increased to £3/2/0 per week. On 28th March 1938 he was posted to C Division at Watford. On 29th March 1938 he was Approved of and Sworn in by F.S. Judd J.P. and J.J. Childs J.P. at Watford.
On the 26th March 1939 his pay was increased to £3/5/0 per week.
In the 1939 Register Kenneth was recorded as being employed as a Police Constable and living at 27 Southwold Road, Watford where he was lodging with a Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds.
On the 11th November 1939 he received a grazed elbow and a bruised ankle in a road accident.
The following information was recorded on his Hertfordshire County Police Personal Record which replaced the Form 3: His date and place of birth and physical description were all shown, as well as his secondary education, religion and previous occupation.
On the 26th March 1940, 26th March 1941, and 26th March 1942 his pay was increased to £3/7/6, £3/10/0, £3/12/6 per week respectively.
Either on the 27th or 30th July 1942 Kenneth Norman Rogers joined H.M. Forces, both dates are shown on his Police Service Record.
Military Service During World War 2.
The only information about his War Service is very brief and is recorded on his Police Service Record. He is shown as having been in the Army Commandos, No. 5 Beach Group, Special Investigations Branch and under the Special Qualifications or Experience heading is written Photographer (Army – S.I.B.). [WW2 Special Investigation Branch photographers were Military Police members who were documenting crimes Ed.] When he was discharged from the Army, he was a Sergeant.
Marriage.
On the 5th October 1942 at Watford Kenneth Norman Rogers married Lillian Margaret Davies born 18th April 1922 at Watford, a machine hand in a printing works and a full time ARP Warden of 18 Elm Grove, Harebreaks, Watford. They had a daughter and a son.
He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, France and Germany Star, General Service Medal and the Defence Medal.
Later on, he was awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
On the 26th March 1943, 26th March 1944, and the 26th March 1945 his pay was increased to £3/15/0, £3/17/6, and £4/0/0 per week respectively.
On 1st April 1945 he was placed on a new scale of pay of £5/8/0 per week.
Re-joined the Police.
His Police Service Record shows that on the 16th August 1946 he left the Army, but he didn’t return to the Police Force until the 21st November 1946 when he transferred to E Division at Hitchin.
On 6th November 1946 his pay was increased to £6/6/0 per week.
On the 25th November 1946 he was Appointed Detective Constable.
On the 7th December 1946 he passed a Police Driving Qualification for Class 5 vehicles. He had been driving cars since 1942, and he went on to ride motorcycles from 1950. Also, in December 1946 he passed the St. John Ambulance Voucher First Aid qualification.
Between the 10th March and the 3rd April 1947, he attended a Forces Refresher Course at Chelmsford, Essex [Essex Police Headquarters Ed.]
In February 1948 he passed the St. John Ambulance Medallion First Aid qualification.
Between the 22nd March and the 29th May 1948, he attended a Detectives Training Course at Hendon [Metropolitan Police Training School Ed.]
In January 1949 he passed the St. John Ambulance 1st Label First Aid qualification.
Commendations.
On the 22nd October 1953 he was commended by the Chief Constable for the way he gave evidence in an Appeal Case (R. v Frost).
On the 28th October 1954 he was commended by the Chief Constable for his Arrest of men for Conspiracy and Receiving.
On the 21st November 1955 he was commended by the Chief Constable for enquiries in a case of publishing obcence libel etc.
On the 11th February 1956 he moved to a new address of 1A Purwell Lane, Hitchin.
Between the 25th February and the 14th March 1957, he was off sick with an injury to his right knee received in an accident in a Police vehicle.
On the 8th February 1960 he was commended for his close attention to duty resulting in the arrest of a man charged with robbery at Hitchin. General Order 11/1960 refers.)
On the 22nd December 1960 he received strained ligaments in his right knee having been tripped by a prisoner by the name of James Watts.
Retirement.
On 31st August 1963 he retired on completion of 25 year’s service.
On the 31st July 2002 Kenneth Norman Rogers died in Norwich age 83 years. His home address was 21 Lillian Road, Spixworth, Norwich, NR10 3PZ.
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